Open Standards under threat in Europe

on: 2010-03-30

EIFv2: Updated analysis available

The European Commission is currently trying to get a new draft
of the European Interoperability Framework (EIF) approved by
Member States. The draft gives rise to concerns that the
Commission is giving up its worldwide leadership in the use of
Open Standards, hurting innovation, competition and user freedom
in Europe. FSFE has updated
its analysis
page, comparing the current draft with previous versions, as
well as demands from a proprietary lobby group. Ahead of
Document Freedom Day on
March 31, FSFE is in conversation with EC and Member State
decision makers to make them aware of the problem.

Where the previous EIF included a relatively strong definition
of Open Standards, the draft revision which FSFE has seen
abandons the concept of Open Standards entirely. Free Software,
previously a central concept, has been relegated to a single
footnote.

Background information is
available here. German
IT news site heise.de also offers
a background
story in German.

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About FSFE

Free Software Foundation Europe is a charity that empowers users to
control technology.

Software is deeply involved in all aspects of our lives. It is important
that this technology empowers rather than restricts us. Free Software
gives everybody the rights to use, understand, adapt and share software.
These rights help support other fundamental rights like freedom of
speech, freedom of press and privacy.